Forrest, the dog who was going to be euthanized for violating Denver’s pit-bull ban, has arrived in St. Louis after an emotional and supportive send-off in Denver.

Phil Adams, a volunteer for Stray Rescue in St. Louis, who is fostering Forrest until his adoption, said Saturday in an e-mail that Forrest is “fitting in great.”

“He is already a celebrity in St. Louis,” Adams said. “Two TV stations filmed his arrival here this morning.”

After officially relinquishing his owner’s rights Friday afternoon at the Denver Municipal Animal Shelter, Chris McGahey helped the 18-month-old dog up into the transport van, kissed his head, professed his love and made a promise.

“If it’s the last thing I do, I will get that ban dropped,” said McGahey, his eyes red and full of tears.

“Take care of yourself. I will come see you,” said McGahey, who plans to move to St. Louis to be near the the dog.

Forrest is the first dog to be shipped out of state rather than be euthanized under Denver’s new policy that will give owners that option for their banned but nonviolent dogs.

The Best Friends Animal Society, which was going to take the dog to Utah but couldn’t because that shelter is at capacity with dogs seized in an investigation of football player Michael Vick for dogfighting, drove Forrest to Stray Rescue.

Under the agreement between shelters, McGahey can never readopt the dog, only visit him.

“I hope once he goes to his new stepparents,” said McGahey, who refers to Forrest as his “son,” “they will be nice enough to let me visit him.”

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